California User Reviews

Customer Experience

Positive experience18.6% of reviews
Neutral16.3% of reviews
Negative experience65.1% of reviews

~ Based on 43 written reviews from the US App Store.

Is California Safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess California.

Is California Legit?

California: Volkswagen Vanlife appears to be a legitimate app. AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for California is 90/100.

Based on 90 of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

Top reviews

Loses connection

When I first downloaded the app it would connected and this made lowering the roof, whilst being able to check the canvas from outside the campervan a breeze.

Loved the fact I could switch off all the interior lights from the bed at night.

Now the connection fails as soon as I try to operate a function. Thoroughly disappointed.
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Mit iOS 26.5.2. unstabil, an sich gute Idee schlecht umgesetzt

Verbindungsaufbau und Verbindung sehr wackelig, oft Neuverbindung erforderlich. Hab’s aufgegeben. Die Idee, das fzg per App fernzubedienen ist gut, besser vmtl mit Bluetooth umsetzbar. App UI wirkt veraltet, warum gebe ich zB meine VIN und fzgtyp an wenn ich in der App nur einen Standard VW Bus dargestellt bekomme? Bei der Bedienungsanleitung (eigentlich nur ein PDF der gedruckten Anleitung) muss ich selber die genaue Ausstattung kennen - ihr kennt doch mein Auto???
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Stopped working

Loved this app and use it for everything on my VW camper, but now it is useless as the latest version does not work!
Crashes every time I open it !
Using iOS 18,7, should be working!
Please fix it, I now have no app to control the van!

Response from developer

Hello, Thank you for your feedback and for describing the issue. We are already aware of this problem – it currently affects older iOS versions in particular. Our developers are already working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot yet provide an exact timeline for when the fix will be released, but we are doing everything we can to deliver an update as soon as possible. If possible, we recommend updating your device to the latest iOS version (currently iOS 26.5), as this may already resolve the issue in many cases. Thank you for your patience. Kind regards, Your Volkswagen California Team *** UPDATE 20/05/26 *** Good news: We have just released a new version of the app (version 5.1.1), which should resolve the issue affecting older iOS versions. Please update to this latest app version. If you continue to experience any issues, please feel free to contact us via email as mentioned previously so we can assist you individually. We sincerely apologize again for the inconvenience caused in the meantime and hope you enjoy using the app again.

Appalling

Promises so much but delivers so little. It’s unacceptable for a manufacturer to provide such a poor app. Does not connect on Pixel and does not even launch on an IPhone.

Response from developer

Hello, Thank you for your feedback and for describing the issue regarding the failure of running the app on your iPhone. We are already aware of this problem – it currently affects older iOS versions in particular. Our developers are already working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot yet provide an exact timeline for when the fix will be released, but we are doing everything we can to deliver an update as soon as possible. If possible, we recommend updating your device to the latest iOS version (currently iOS 26.5), as this may already resolve the issue in many cases. Thank you for your patience on this matter. And regarding the connection issues on your Pixel smartphone we ask you to contact us via email and include all relevant details such as the VIN, Android version, and the error code, if the problem persists. A screenshot and/or screen recording of the error message and process would also help to investigate the problem and its root causes further. Thanks and kind regards, Your Volkswagen California Team *** UPDATE 20/05/26 *** Good news: We have just released a new version of the app (version 5.1.1), which should sustainably resolve the issue affecting the usage with iPhones and older iOS versions. Please update to this latest app version. We sincerely apologize again for the inconvenience caused in the meantime and hope you enjoy using the app on your iPhone.

Will not pair to the T7 Cali

The app won’t pair to the T7Cali. I’ve wasted lots of time trying various solutions.

Response from developer

Hello, We are sorry you are having connectivity issues with the California App. However, we will be happy to help you and fix the problem you are facing. Therefore, we need more information (e.g. VIN, software/ app version, the error code shown after failure on you phone) and ideally at the same time a recording of the connection process to further analyze your connectivity problem. Please contact us at california@volkswagen.de. Sincerely, Your Volkswagen California Team

Online manual issues

As the title says the manual loads in the German language and no longer defaults to the English language?

Response from developer

Hello, Thank you for your feedback and bringing this to attention. It is a temporary issue that we are already aware of. We are currently working on a fix, and it will be resolved in one of the upcoming updates. With that update, the manual will again default to English when the language on the smartphone is set to English — exactly as it worked before. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience in the meantime. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at california@volkswagen.de Best regards, Your Volkswagen California Team

Fahrzeug entriegeln klappt nur sporadisch

An sich ist die App ja ganz gut, aber eine der für mich wichtigsten Funktionen wie das Fahrzeug entriegeln und verriegeln klappt fast gar nicht. Und wenn dauert es unfassbar lange im See dauert die Synchronisierung des Fahrzeugs sehr sehr lange, was fast schon nicht alltagstauglich.

Response from developer

Hallo Flip1624, es tut uns leid, dass Probleme bei der Verwendung der Cali on Tour App aufgetreten sind. Wir arbeiten ständig daran, unsere Produkte zu verbessern. Bitte kontaktiere uns daher per E-Mail (connect-support@volkswagen.de), damit wir weiterhelfen können. Dein Volkswagen Team

Poor

In our new MY2026 California Ocean hybrid it kind of works when inside the van. However, you can’t preheat the van from within the house on a cold morning using the app. Your phone pretty much needs to be inside the van for it to connect. You don’t get a separate heater with the hybrid so have to rely on this app for preheating. Coming from a 6 year old Tesla where we could preheat and defrost the vehicle using their app from basically anywhere in the world, this VW attempt is pathetic.
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Response from developer

Hello Raspberryjam, We are sorry that issues occurred while using the Cali on Tour App. We are constantly working to improve our products. Please contact us via email (californiaontour@volkswagen.de) so we can assist further. Your Volkswagen Team

Very Poor App

This app is very poor considering the quality of the California. The connection simply doesn’t work !! My iPhone has the latest updates installed. Such a shame as I would like to use the app when outside of the vehicle. I absolutely love my California !! Come on VW release an update for the app

Response from developer

Hello MJS6464, We are sorry you are having connectivity issues with the California App. However, we will be happy to help you and fix the problem you are facing. Therefore, we need more information (e.g. VIN, software/ app version, the error code shown after failure on you phone) and ideally at the same time a recording of the connection process to further analyze your connectivity problem. Please contact us at california@volkswagen.de. Sincerely, Your Volkswagen California Team

Can’t Connect

Really Bad for something so simple. Never stays connected and now I’ve just given up on it. Virtually impossible to re-connect back up. Sort it out VW, it’s really embarrassing for a company like yours. 😡👎

Response from developer

Hello Nigel, We are sorry you are having connectivity issues with the California App. Usually this should not happen. However, we will be happy to help you and fix the problem you are facing. Therefore, we need more information (VIN, software/ app version, the error code shown after failure on you phone) and ideally at the same time a recording of the connection process to further analyze your connectivity problem. Please contact us at california@volkswagen.de. Sincerely, Your Volkswagen California Team.

Useless

The same as all other reviews. Car play connects automatically and as soon as you try and use the app, they fight over the connection and it doesn’t work, continually signing you in and out.

Response from developer

Dear Dan6v, To use the remote control functions and CarPlay simultaneously, please connect your smartphone to CarPlay via USB cable. If your phone is already paired with the vehicle for remote control, both features will otherwise compete for the same Wi-Fi connection, which will therefore lead to repeated disconnections. If the issue persists, please contact us at california@volkswagen.de and include your VIN, software/ app version and ideally a recording of the connection problem. Best regards, Your Volkswagen California Team

Works 1-20 times

This App is terrible, barely connects and when it does it forgets the next time, shame as thought is good, execution not so.

Response from developer

Hello, We are sorry you are having connectivity issues with the California App. Usually this should not happen. However, we will be happy to help you and fix the problem you are facing. Therefore, we need more information (e.g. VIN, software/ app version, the error code shown after failure on you phone) and ideally at the same time a recording of the connection process to further analyze your connectivity problem. Please contact us at california@volkswagen.de. Sincerely, Your Volkswagen California Team.

Shambolic VW Customer Service

If I could leave less stars I would, the app is useless, VW ask for a video that thousands have customers have sent about it not working and still they have not helped anyone. They should be ashamed of themselves. The brand is failing in the uk, the dealer network is not fit for purpose.

Response from developer

Hello Tony, Thank you for your feedback. Unfortunately, we have not yet received a video from you showing the failed connection process, which means we cannot get a clear picture of the possible cause of the issue. Please contact us again and provide: 1. a short video demonstrating the unsuccessful connection attempt, 2. the contact details of the dealer you have visited and 3. information about the app version you are using, as well as the model of your iPhone and its operating system version (iOS). This will allow us to investigate the case thoroughly and take the necessary steps to hopefully resolve the problem. Thank you for your cooperation! Kind regards, Your Volkswagen California Team

One of the worst apps

We bought our Cali Ocean new , 1 year ago today , since then this app has worked a grand total of 3 times, the Bluetooth in the van constantly wants to disconnect you and reconnect to Apple car play which we use daily so why wouldn’t we , the instructions to connect look like they’ve been written before the app was ever tested, each time we try to use it , it seems likes it’s forgotten who we are and we have to re,register … shame really because it had potential just lacks the support needed to actually make a working robust app, I would of expected more from VW to compliment a 70k van.
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Response from developer

Hello, Thank you for sharing your experience with the California Ocean and our California App. We sincerely regret the inconvenience you've encountered and understand how frustrating it must be, especially given the expectations that come with a premium vehicle. We are committed to resolving these issues as quickly as possible. To assist you effectively, we kindly ask you to contact us via email (california@volkswagen.de) and provide the following details: - A detailed description of the problems you’re experiencing - Your vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) - The software version of your smartphone and the app version currently installed - If available, screenshots or recordings of any error messages, including error codes - Any additional information that might be relevant for us and our technical team to know This information will help us investigate the issue thoroughly and provide you with targeted support. As a general note: For the California T6.1, both Apple CarPlay and the app’s remote functions operate via Wi-Fi. If you wish to use both simultaneously, Apple CarPlay must be connected via cable. For the new California models, the connection between smartphone and app runs via Bluetooth and therefore Apple CarPlay should function in parallel without any additional steps or issues. We appreciate your patience and look forward to helping you get the most out of your California Ocean. Best regards, Your Volkswagen California Team

Useful for new California

Lots of useful features. It allows you to see and control most of the features of the “leisure” side of the van, lighting, raising and closing the roof, water and waste levels (nearly real time when filling the water tank) battery levels.

Response from developer

Hello Admah, Thank you for the great feedback. We are pleased that you enjoy the California App, and we wish you continued enjoyment with Volkswagen's mobile online services. Your Volkswagen Team

App

Only had the camper for a week and already the app cannot connect to the control anymore.
What’s the point. Surely there must be an update coming. For the money spent this is ludicrous that a simple blue tooth device does not work.

Response from developer

Dear Thai 26, We are sorry you are having connectivity issues with the California App. Usually this should not happen. However, we will be happy to help you and fix the problem you are facing. Therefore, we need more information (e.g. VIN, software/ app version, the error code shown after failure on you phone) and ideally at the same time a recording of the connection process to further analyze your connectivity problem. Please contact us at california@volkswagen.de. Sincerely, Your Volkswagen California Team.

Rubbish doesn’t work

Had two vans and this app
Doesn’t work on either of them. It very rarely connects then just stops signal. It’s not worth it don’t bother.

Come on VW sort this out

Response from developer

Dear Richie463, We are sorry you are having issues with the California App. However, we will be happy to help you. Therefore, we need more information (e.g. VIN, software/ app version) and also ideally a recording of the connection process to further analyze your connectivity problem. Please contact us at california@volkswagen.de. Sincerely, Your Volkswagen California Team.

VW Vanlife

Die App verliert ständig den Kontakt zum Netzwerk. Will man die Innenbeleuchtung damit steuern ist nach der ersten Bedienung der Kontakt zum Netzwerk weg und die Leuchten springen immer auf ihren voreingestellten Wert zurück. Bis auf die kurze Steuerung des elektrischen Hubdaches Eigentlich unbrauchbar.
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Response from developer

Hallo Jrgtschibo, um Dir bei dem genannten Problem weiterhelfen zu können, melde Dich bitte bei uns per E-Mail an california@volkswagen.de. Bitte teile uns dabei auch direkt deine Fahrzeug-Identifizierungsnummer sowie nähere Informationen zur verwendeten App- und Betriebssystem-Version mit, damit wir dir den Fall schnell und effektiv untersuchen können. Viele Grüße Dein Volkswagen Team

Buts de connexion

À revoir , mise à jour urgente, déconnexions trop fréquentes et parametrage hasardeux.

Response from developer

Dear miekape, We are sorry you are having issues with the California app. However, we will be happy to help you. Therefore, we need more information (e.g. VIN, software/ app version) and also ideally a recording of the connection process to further analyze your connectivity problem. Additionally, we kindly ask you to inform us what exactly you mean with "dangerous settings" in your comment ("parametrage hasardeux"). Please contact us at california@volkswagen.de. Sincerely, Your Volkswagen California Team.

Non fonctionnelle

Volkswagen devrait embaucher les ingénieurs de chez Tesla, déconnection permanente….

Response from developer

Dear Customer, We are sorry you are having issues with the California app. However, we will be happy to help you. Therefore, we need more information (e.g. VIN, software/ app version) and also ideally a recording of the connection process to further analyze your connectivity problem. Please contact us at california@volkswagen.de. Sincerely, Your Volkswagen California Team.